"Shove off," said Smart, and in a moment the gig was heading for the yacht.
Upon the deck of the schooner the captain and mate of the Sea-Horse seemed slightly out of place, but Bahama Bill swaggered aft with an air that had little retirement or modesty about it, and his skipper followed behind him.
The giant mate was much amused by the immaculate decks, the new rigging, and, above all, the spotless clothes of the crew. He knew a good ship, and this toy, this playship of the rich Northerner was much to his liking, for the Sayonara was strongly built and had much valuable material in her building.
Dunn was sitting under the awning aft when the visitors were announced. Sanders, hat in hand, stood awkwardly smiling and smirking at the ladies, but his mate cocked his cap over his ear and leered savagely at the owner.
"You sent fur us, cap—an' here we is," said he.
Dunn had been watching them for several seconds.
"Yes, yes, my good man, I wanted to see you," he said. "Do you know of any one who wants a job cooking aboard here? I heard there were some good sea-cooks knocking about these keys, perhaps you're one—what?"
"Does I look like a cook?" said Bahama Bill, staring at him.
"Most certainly not, but appearances are sometimes deceptive. Maybe you know of one—what?"
"I does," said Bill.